DASHBOARD: Describes a part of the car interior that contain the driving instruments and switches.
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS: Describes the general term for all gauges, indicators, switches, regulators, and buttons found in a car’s interior.
INSTRUMENT PANEL: Describes the panel below the windshield that accommodates the instruments and controls.
BEAM INDICATOR: Describes the light on the instrument panel which comes on when the high beams are activated.
BEZEL: Describes the crimped edge of metal used to secure a glass face to an instrument. Either decorative or functional, some bezels are threaded and secure switches and control buttons to the dash, console, or steering column.
BINNACLE: Describes the cluster of instruments and switches mounted in a circular casing on or around the vehicle’s steering column.
BURR WALNUT: Describes a wood veneer used for dashboards and door trim on some cars.
CLUSTER PANEL: Describes the reverse side of the instrument panel or dash where all the wiring or circuit board is located.
CONTROL HEAD: Describes a type of assembly mounted on the vehicle dashboard that houses the mode selector, the blower switch and the temperature control lever of the heating, air conditioner, and ventilation system.
CONTROL STALK: Describes a shaft projecting from the steering column just below the steering wheel that controls headlights and sidelights, cruise control, wipers, windshield washer, signal lights, horn and other ancillaries.
DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER: Describes a speedometer which shows the vehicle’s speed in digital format rather than a needle on an analogue speedometer.
ELECTRONIC CLUSTER: Describes a display centre showing various functions, including speedometer, tachometer and gauges using LEDs or LCD technology displaying symbols and bar graphs instead of numbers.
FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH: Describes a control device which manually or automatically turns off the flow of fuel.
GLOW PLUG STARTER SWITCH: Describes the key switch used to ignite the preheating system of a diesel engine thus starting the car.
MULTI-FUNCTION CONTROL STALK: Describes the rod-shaped control mounted on the steering column near the steering wheel in modern vehicle, through which the driver operates the signal lights, headlight dimmer switch, wipers, windshield washer, cruise control as well as the horn.
MULTIPLEX TECHNOLOGY: Describes an indicator system used in modern vehicles where lamps, wipers, horn and similar accessories are connected to a single power cable via electronically controlled modules, making it easier to diagnose faults.
MEMORY BUTTON: Describes a switch found on modern vehicles that controls the position of electric seats, mirrors and other electrically operates as well as storing the requirements in its memory for future use.
HEADS UP DISPLAY (HUD): Describes a system of mounting gauges so that the read-out is shown on the windshield allowing the driver to keep his eyes the road while checking to see how his vehicle is performing.
SPEEDOMETER CABLE: Describes a long specially constructed wire inserted in a special housing that transmits details of a vehicle’s current speed to the speedometer gauge.
SELF-CANCELLING INDICATOR: Describes a feature found in modern signal direction indicators that will cause them to switch off automatically when the steering wheel is returned to the straight-ahead position.
SHIFT INDICATOR LIGHT (SIL): Describes a system that provides a visual indication to the driver when to shift to the next higher gear to obtain optimum fuel economy.
SIGNAL WARNING LIGHT: Describes a small light usually in the shape of a green arrow situated on the instrument panel which flashes when the signal lights are operating.
TELESCOPIC STEERING COLUMN: Describes a type of steering column that has been engineered to collapse in on itself on impact
TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL: Describes a type of steering column that can be lengthened or shortened to provide an individual driver with the most comfortable driving position to suit his or her physical proportions.
OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT: Describes a light on the instrument panel light that illuminates when oil pressure falls below a certain level
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